Oscar nominee for Fleadh masterclass
Oscar nominee Hollywood screenwriter Josh Olson will be the subject of this year’s Screenwriters Masterclass at the Galway Film Fleadh, which takes place next month. For the event, he will examine A History of Violence, the film that won him accolades around the world.
Taking participants through the film scene by scene, he will give them insights into his creative process and practical advice about how to shape a story for the screen.
The masterclass will address re-writes, the art of collaboration, how to adapt source material and choosing when to reveal aspects of a plot to the audience.
Josh Olson’s screenplay for A History of Violence was nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, a WGA award and an Edgar. He is also the writer/director of the horror/comedy cult movie, Infested. He co-wrote an adaptation of Harlan Ellison’s The Discarded for the ABC TV series Masters of Science Fiction. The episode starred Brian Dennehy and John Hurt, and was directed by Star Trek’s Jonathan Frakes.
He adapted Halo for producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp; and his adaptation of the Dennis Lehane short story, Until Gwen, made the Black List. He’ll be directing it shortly. He wrote a sequel to The Wizard of Oz for Warner Brothers, and adapted Lee Child’s bestselling Jack Reacher novel, One Shot, for Paramount. He’s just written Tabloid, a thriller for Mick Jagger, and is currently adapting the book, The Last Policeman for Fremantle and Random House Productions.
His essay for the Village Voice, I Will Not Read Your Fucking Script, became an internet phenomenon, getting upwards of four million hits. Olson can also be seen commenting on classic film trailers at Joe Dante’s website, Trailers from Hell.
His Fleadh masterclass will be moderated by Dublin script consultant MK O’ Flanagan. In the last year, MK has been a tutor on screenwriting programmes in Prague, Malta, Pilsen, London, Cologne, Krakow, Mielny, Cork and Galway as Dublin.
The masterclass costs €50 and will take place on July 10 from 2pm-5.30pm (there will be 30 minutes for Q&A) in the Radisson Hotel, Galway.
For further information or to apply for a place, contact Brónagh Keys at 091-562200 or email: [email protected]. The closing date for applications is 1pm on Friday, July 4.
n For information on the masterclasses for actors and producers taking place during this year’s Galway Film Fleadh check www.galwayfilmfleadh.com